Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Clap

Clap (klap) , transitive verb

[Anglo-Saxon clappan; akin to Icelandic & Swedish klappa, D, klappen, to clap, prate, German klaffen, v. i., to split open, yelp, klopfen, transitive verb & i., to knock.]

1.
To strike; to slap; to strike, or strike together, with a quick motion, so, as to make a sharp noise; as, to clap one's hands; a clapping of wings.
Then like a bird it sits and sings, And whets and claps its silver wings. — Marvell
2.
To thrust, drive, put, or close, in a hasty or abrupt manner; -- often followed by to, into, on, or upon.
He had just time to get in and clap to the door. — Locke
Clap an extinguisher upon your irony. — Lamb
3.
To manifest approbation of, by striking the hands together; to applaud; as, to clap a performance.
Collocations (3)
To clap hands , (a) To pledge faith by joining hands. [Obsolete] — Shakespeare
To clap hold of , to seize roughly or quickly.
To clap up , (a) To imprison hastily or without due formality. (b) To make or contrive hastily. [Obsolete] Was ever match clapped up so suddenly? — Shakespeare
(b)
To express contempt or derision. [Obsolete] — Lam. ii. 15
Was ever match clapped up so suddenly? — Shakespeare

Clap , intransitive verb

1.
To knock, as at a door. [Obsolete] — Chaucer
2.
To strike the hands together in applause.
Their ladies bid them clap. — Shakespeare
3.
To come together suddenly with noise.
The doors around me clapped. — Dryden
4.
To enter with alacrity and briskness; -- with to or into. [Obsolete]
Shall we clap into it roundly, without... saying we are hoarse? — Shakespeare
5.
To talk noisily; to chatter loudly. [Obsolete] — Chaucer

Clap (klap) , noun

1.
A loud noise made by sudden collision; a bang.
Give the door such a clap, as you go out, as will shake the whole room. — Swift
2.
A burst of sound; a sudden explosion.
Horrible claps of thunder. — Hakewill
3.
A single, sudden act or motion; a stroke; a blow.
What, fifty of my followers at a clap! — Shakespeare
4.
A striking of hands to express approbation.
Unextrected claps or hisses. — Addison
5.
Noisy talk; chatter. [Obsolete] — Chaucer
6.
(Falconry) The nether part of the beak of a hawk.
Collocations (2)
Clap dish , See Clack dish, under Clack, n.
Clap net , a net for taking birds, made to close or clap together.

Clap , noun

[Compare Old French clapoir.]

Gonorrhea.